Jolly Holiday pays tribute to everyone’s favorite governess, Mary Poppins, and her merry band of whimsical creatures. (See the penguin on top of the sign? )

Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe Sign

This bright and cheerful spot blends in perfectly with the rest of Main Street, U.S.A. A first time visitor to Disneyland might never guess that Jolly Holiday is a fairly recent addition, but even though it’s relatively new, it has quickly become one of my favorite places to visit when I’m in Disneyland.

Light breakfast, lunch, and dinner options can be spotted on the menus, but the cafe’s sweet spot — pun intended — is their iconic bakery treats. Cookies, cupcakes, and other pastries beckon from the moment you step into the shop.

Jolly Holiday Bakery Cases

The most difficult thing about visiting Jolly Holiday is deciding what to get. Especially since so many items in that case receive seasonal makeovers!

Take, for instance, this adorable springtime mini Strawberry Bundt Cake. The cake itself is vanilla, and there’s a sweet glazed topping. Pink chocolate curls and a glazed strawberry give a hint as to what’s inside.

Strawberry Bundt Cake

And THAT is thick strawberry filling — a lot like strawberry pie! It’s bright and tasty, with little bits of strawberry mixed in as well. It is a classic combination befitting the location.

Strawberry Bundt Cake — Cross Section

Another fruit-and-cake combo comes in the form of this little beauty: the Chocolate Raspberry Cupcake. Topping the chocolate cake is a healthy swirl of chocolate mousse underneath a shiny chocolate shell. Next? It’s decorated with (believe it!) MORE chocolate: curls of milk and white chocolate, two thin shavings of dark chocolate, and a sunny little bright orange chocolate disc. A plump raspberry is the finishing touch.

Chocolate Raspberry Cupcake

Clearly, there is a lot going on here… but there is STILL more than meets the eye.

Now, the cross-section is a bit messy (the wrapper is similar to those at Be Our Guest in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, which are made by the devil and are basically impossible to remove easily), but you can see that the cupcake is filled with vanilla frosting and (I think) cherry filling. And you can at last get a glimpse of that mousse-like frosting.

Chocolate Raspberry Cupcake — Inside

This one may be a little busy for some, and all that chocolate was really too much for my liking. But if you’re a chocoholic, have at it.

Now, you know my ability to resist anything Mickey-shaped is practically zilch, so obviously I had to have the next (gorgeous!) treat: the now iconic Raspberry Rose Mickey Macaron. From those Mickey ears to the bright red color to the artsy gold brushstroke, this Macaron is among the prettiest I’ve seen.

Raspberry Rose Mickey Macaron

But while the macarons and raspberries are great, the whole “rose-flavored” filling thing fell super flat with me. Honestly, it tasted like cleaning products.

I KNOW some of you absolutely love this, but I just couldn’t get into it. No, it’s not that I couldn’t get into it…I could barely finish the first bite. So…proceed with caution knowing that it’s love or hate with this one.

You can find whoopie pies, of course, on both costs, with an array of specialty-topped mini Whoopie Pies at Sweet Spells in Hollywood Studios and other spots. But I always appreciate how Jolly Holiday offers the classic style, with just a hint of a twist for the respective season. (The peanut butter one is still my favorite!)

Just like the Blue Ribbon Bakery back in the day, I still can’t leave Jolly Holiday without picking up a classic and iconic Matterhorn Macaroon. You shouldn’t either, and here’s why: it starts with that mountainous, super moist coconut macaroon. See how it’s all golden ridges and pale valleys?

Matterhorn Macaroon

Next is the thick layer of white chocolate, hardened into a dense snow pack. Finally, for good, crunchy measure, there are a few sugary, snowy chunks on top.

There’s sort of no way to start eating this except to take a big ol’ bite to get the view from the top and check out — plus enjoy — the chewy, buttery, sweet macaroon.

Honestly, it almost doesn’t matter whether you go for the classic Matterhorn Macaroon or one of the seasonal switcheroos. Just get yourself to Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe and try a treat straight out of the bakery case. And if you happen upon a new seasonal option, be sure to give us a hashtag shoutout at #disneyfoodblog. We’d love to feature your shot on our Instagram!

What’s your favorite Disneyland bakery treat? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Comments

The Raspberry Rose Mickey Macaron was one of my favorite things in the park before I developed a gluten intolerance. Every time I pass the bakery, I momentarily think about eating it anyway and dealing with the pain. (After all, macarons are gluten free naturally…it’s the possible cross contamination that makes them not safe here.) I stare longingly at it instead when we grab lunch there. I can also see how the rose would be hit or miss for people though.

Oh Jolly Holiday. The main player in my all time favourite Disney meal.
Tomato soup, grilled cheese and a Matterhorn Macaroon with a castle view.
Then for further pleasure another MM to take home afterwards…
Perfection.

I love Jolly Holiday!! It’s a beautiful spot When I was there I sat at an outside table with a coffee. The view of the hub and castle is lovely, and the atmosphere very relaxing. I plan to go back next time, and can’t wait to do the same. Now I am looking forward to trying one of these treats too!